By Ashley Pemberton

A nursery worker at a playgroup where a baby girl died has been jailed for neglecting four children.

Rebecca Gregory, 25, worked at Tiny Toes Children's Day Nursery in Cheadle Hulme, where nine-month-old Genevieve Meehan died in May 2022.

Genevieve's killer Kate Roughley, 37, was jailed for 14 years in May 2024 after a court heard how she had told the baby to "stop whingeing" and strapped her to the bean bag as punishment for not sleeping for long enough.

Greater Manchester Police later announced Gregory had been charged with offences not linked to Genevieve's death.

The force said she was arrested in November 2023 when detectives reviewed all of the CCTV as part of the original investigation into Genevieve's death.

Detectives saw Rebecca Gregory committing 'deplorable' acts of neglect against four young children, the force said.

She was witnessed on CCTV verbally abusing and mishandling the children, pushing a child's head down, roughly placing a child on the floor and threatening to kick a child in the head.

On one occasion, she swaddled a child so tightly he couldn't move. Seeing the child was visibly distressed, she forced his head down, preventing him from moving.

On another occasion, she swaddled a child tightly, telling him to 'f***ing go home.'

Tiny Toes Nursery, Cheadle Hulme (Image - SWNS)

She pleaded guilty to four counts of wilfully assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting, abandoning, or exposing a child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering.

She was jailed for three years at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Monday 2 September.

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Constable Natalie Pettit said: "Anyone who hears the details of this investigation cannot fail to be sickened by the careless actions of Rebecca Gregory. 

"She knew her actions fell far beyond the correct professional standards but failed to take any reasonable steps to protect these children.

"This was a harrowing investigation which uncovered several unacceptable behaviours and practices at Tiny Toes Nursery. 

"It was clear to see that there was a culture of not challenging inappropriate behaviour which ultimately placed several children who were under their care at risk of serious harm.

"We worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to build a strong case, and following a comprehensive investigation, we are pleased that Gregory will now have to face the consequences of her actions."

Karen Tongue, Specialist Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: "Rebecca Gregory was entrusted with the care of the youngest children in the nursery where she had worked for seven years.

"The CCTV footage from the nursery's baby room showed several instances of Gregory ill-treating four young children in her care.

"The way she spoke to them was truly appalling and I have been shocked and saddened by the wilful ill-treatment of the children.

"Parents should be able to place their children in nursery knowing they will be nurtured and cared for. Cases such as this damage the trust between parents and carers.

"Gregory must now face the consequences of her actions."

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